The National Building Museum presents several fascinating exhibits that cover architecture, construction and engineering. And while several of the country's most famous structures are spotlighted, the actual museum building itself is an exhibit in its own right. This amazing venue features massive columns, a picturesque fountain and a highly decorated ceiling that reaches 15 stories upward. Several interactive exhibits are part of the many highlights, including temporary exhibits that focus on the development of ghettos, roads, factories, parks and more. If it was built, the chances are its story is within the walls of this incredible museum.
Deciding that you will take a day to see the Smithsonian Institution is allowing too little time, as the Institution is much wider in scope than you may have originally thought. It actually encapsulates 19 museums as well as the National Zoo, all home to must-see exhibits and attractions. Some of the more popular stops within the Smithsonian include the National Air and Space Museum, the national Museum of American History and the National Museum of the American Indian. The depth and breadth of everything here justifies the time and space that it takes to see it all.
Considering how much history there is in Washington and its surrounding areas, taking a walking tour will get you even closer to these venues and help you gain an even deeper insight to the lives of the people that shaped history. The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center schedules various informative and detailed guided walking tours of historic Fairfax. Some of the highlights along the way include a handful of the city's oldest structures like the Gunnell House that dates back to 1830, the Old Fairfax Jail that originated back in 1891 and the Moore House that was originally constructed in 1840.
The Capital Crescent Trail is one of the area's most popular. This 11-mile trail begins in Silver Spring, Maryland, curves westward through Maryland into Washington, DC and ends in the heart of historic Georgetown. Captivating, beautiful scenery marks this as an exceptional recreation trail for walking, hiking and biking.